Known as Chunwan, the New Year's variety show typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers. But when it aired on January 30, 2014, it seemed long on propaganda and short on entertainment, disappointing nearly 60% of Chinese, according to a survey.

China's propaganda ministry has long been an active controller of public messages in the Communist country. But nowadays, with greater access to the Internet and skepticism running high, the propaganda ministry is stepping up its efforts, but trying to be more unseen in what it does.

China's propaganda ministry has long been an active controller of public messages in the Communist country. But nowadays, with greater access to the Internet and skepticism running high, the propaganda ministry is stepping up its efforts, but trying to be more unseen in what it does.

Known as Chunwan, the New Year's variety show typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers. But when it aired on January 30, 2014, it seemed long on propaganda and short on entertainment, disappointing nearly 60% of Chinese, according to a survey.